What Is Neroli Essential Oil? Uses, Benefits, And Science-Based Facts

Know Your Ingredient: Neroli Essential Oil

What Is It?
An essential oil extracted from the flowers of the bitter orange tree.

What Are Its Benefits?
May help regulate blood pressure, enhance skin health, and reduce anxiety.

Who Can Use It?
All except people who are allergic to citrus fruits or spend a lot of time in the sun.

How Often?
Up to 1-2 drops, 3-4 times a day.

Caution
Perform a patch test before applying it to find out if you are allergic to it.

What Is Neroli Essential Oil?

The neroli fruit is a variety of orange. It is also called marmalade orange, and it tastes bitter. It is perfect for making marmalade. Neroli oil is extracted from the flowers of the neroli tree.

This oil has a decadent, flowery, and citrusy fragrance. That is why it is used in perfumes, body lotions, and other mild cosmetics. In addition, it is used in hair care products for its antibacterial properties.

Trivia

Neroli oil is also called orange blossom oil as it is extracted from the flowers of orange trees through steam distillation.

Chemically, neroli oil has the following composition (1):

• Limonene (27.5%):
• Nerolidol (17.5%)
• Terpineol (14%)
• Terpinyl Acetate (11.7%)
• Farnesol (8%).

Neroli oil has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antidepressant properties (1). Ryan Hsu, the founder of CareMax (a health and wellness company), says, “The oil contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help with any skin blemishes that you might be experiencing.”

Neroli essential oil is packed with many health benefits. Want to know more about them? Read the next section.

Health Benefits Of Neroli Oil

Though neroli oil is said to offer many benefits, it is important to note that not all of them are backed by credible research. The following are some of its purported benefits:

1. May Help Soothe Nerves

Among the most effective essential oils, neroli essential oil stands out for its ability to uplift the mood and ease feelings of anxiety and tension. According to a study conducted on mice, neroli oil may reduce anxiety and fear-induced shock symptoms (2). Thus, it may have a relaxing effect and may act as a mood enhancer for humans as well.

Amy McKinley, a YouTuber, details her experience of using neroli oil for its benefits: “Every time I put it on, I felt calmer and better. It makes me feel better with a tingly and calming sensation (i).” She adds, “I find myself using neroli all the time for mood support and kind of like a perfume.”

On this note, there are many more essential oils for anxiety that you can explore to get better insight into the variety, as they offer a range of benefits, from inducing sleep to promoting mental calmness.

2. May Help In Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

Neroli oil has traditionally been used to help control the symptoms of seizuresⁱ  A disorder where the brain experiences a brief, uncontrollable spike of electrical activity that alters behavior and movements. , loss of consciousness, and abnormal behavior.” ], seizures, and insomnia. It has also been studied for its potential in treating Alzheimer’s disease. According to a study conducted on rats, it can help improve memory and behavior (3).

3. May Help In Chronic Pain Management

Neroli oil may reduce symptoms of pain as it positively affects the peripheral nervous system. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce chronic inflammation when used on a regular basis (4).

4. May Reduce PMS And Menopausal Symptoms

PMS causes bloating, indigestion, pains, blood pressure changes, and weakness. In addition, it is accompanied by feeling low and mood swings. According to a study conducted in Iran, neroli oil may improve all these symptoms – especially the psychological symptoms – of PMS (5).

a) According to a study in Korea, inhalation of neroli oil by post-menopausal women improved their quality of life and may help relieve menopausal symptoms (6).

5. May Help Reduce Blood Pressure

Neroli oil has vasodilative compounds that help reduce the overall pressure put on the heart for pumping blood. It works by modifying the calcium concentration inside the cells to reduce constriction (7).

Inhaling a mixture of lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli oils was also found to relieve prehypertensiveⁱ  A stage where the blood pressure levels are slightly elevated than normal but not high enough to be classified as high blood pressure and hypertensive symptoms (8). Similar to neroli essential oil, there are various ylang ylang essential oil benefits, including its use in reducing anxiety, stress, and promoting a sense of calm.

6. May Aid In Smooth Labor

Labor can be difficult, and it usually causes a sense of panic and pain. However, research shows that aromatherapy using neroli oil induces a sense of calm and promotes relaxation during the first stage of labor (at dialations of 3-4 cm and 6-8 cm) (9).

7. May Help In Skin Regeneration

The antibacterial properties of neroli oil may help prevent skin blemishes and acne. In addition, its antifungal properties may help reduce fungal infections like dandruff. However, there is not enough scientific research to prove the same.

“A 2012 study suggested that neroli oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Since bumps or pimples form due to bacteria infecting your skin follicles, it may even help in reducing the possibility of acne or its appearance on the skin. So, I believe it is a good start to explore neroli oil’s potential for dermatology challenges.” says Dr. Hira Shaheen (licensed MD).

Anne Marie, a beauty vlogger, shares how she uses neroli oil for skin regeneration and anti-aging. She said, “I apply it at night time on my face, neck, and back of my hands, and then in the morning after I have put on my makeup (ii).” She also applies it in the area under the eyes to help with the fine lines and wrinkles. She also pats it over her makeup to smooth the lines and creases.

You may also use neroli oil with a carrier oil on wounds. Its antibacterial property may help heal the wound and prevent infections. However, there is not enough scientific research to prove the same.

Direct application of neroli oil is not suggested. Instead, use it with some carrier oil for the best results. Keep scrolling to learn how to use neroli oil the right way.

How To Use Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli oil must be diluted in a carrier oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond, or avocado oil. Then, you can massage it onto your skin or add a small amount to steam baths.

Dr. Liana Casusi (MD) says, “For inhalation, dispense a drop or two into cloth, or use a diffuser. The dosage must be according to the manufacturer’s instructions that you will see on the label.”

Quick Tip

You can also add neroli oil to your bath or in your face steamer to inhale, or soak a cotton ball in it and place it under your pillow to enjoy its fragrance throughout the night.

Side Effects Of Neroli Oil

1. Skin Burn

Applying neroli oil directly to the skin may cause burns. “Neroli oil can be pretty harsh for the skin. So, I wouldn’t recommend applying it directly to the skin,” says Dr. Shaheen.

2. May Cause Nausea

Anecdotal evidence suggests that neroli oil may cause drowsiness, shallow breathing, nausea, persistent coughing, and redness of the eyes.

3. Expensive

Dr. Shaheen says, “It’s because production is quite tedious and difficult. You only get a tiny amount from a lot of neroli plant flowers. So, of course, it will be expensive.”

Quick Tip

You should avoid sun exposure right after using any citrus essential oils as direct exposure may sometimes cause reactions in some individuals. Also, don’t apply it before going into a tanning booth.

The Final Takeaway

Neroli essential oil is safe to use. Many skincare and cosmetic companies use it in their products.

It can soothe nerves, reduce symptoms of PMS, promote stress relief, and improve your mood. In addition, it may keep your heart healthy. Overall, with a few precautions, you can use neroli oil on a regular basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is neroli good for sleep?

Yes, neroli is good for sleep. It has tranquilizing properties. It helps reduce anxiety and stress and improves sleep quality.

Why is neroli essential oil so expensive?

Neroli oil is expensive because of its extraction process and the number of flowers used to make it.

Is Neroli essential oil effective in reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Neroli oil may help in fading scars or stretch marks. However, more research is needed to substantiate the claim.

Does Neroli essential oil have any anti-aging properties?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Neroli oil may have some anti-aging benefits as it has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. However, more research is needed to confirm this claim.

Can Neroli essential oil be used in massage therapy?

Neroli oil has relaxing and calming properties, which makes it a great choice for massage therapy. The oil can help to promote relaxation and relieve muscle soreness.

Can Neroli essential oil be used during pregnancy or for children?

No, it is not recommended to use Neroli or any other essential oil during pregnancy or for children, as the oil is highly concentrated and may cause allergic reactions.

Illustration: Neroli Essential Oil: 7 Health Benefits How To Use And Side Effects

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the amazing benefits of Neroli Essential Oil! Learn how to use it for relaxation, skin care, and more in the following video.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Pallavi JassalMSc (Food & Nutrition), CDE

   

Pallavi Jassal is a senior diet and nutrition consultant at LiveLifeMore® Diet & Wellness Clinic, Chandigarh, India. She is a certified diabetes educator and also internationally certified by the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management.

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Sindhu KogantiSenior Health & Wellness Writer

 

Sindhu Koganti is a Certified Health and Nutrition Life Coach and has over 6 years of experience in writing on health and wellness topics. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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